We in ESSC wish to share with you a statement we put together on the Aurora-Quezon-Nueva Ecija disaster that happened in 2004 in the hope that this can contribute constructively to the responses needed and enhance current efforts in rehabilitation and reconstruction in the areas and communities affected. Over 2,000 people lost their lives.

The thoughts presented are spurred by the endless questions we keep being asked by media, local government, civil society and various organizations. There is a persistent and popular understanding of the disaster as caused by logging, or at least as a major contributing factor, beyond which there is little understanding of what needs to be done other than to stop logging and re-build. Without diminishing the value of this national problem that does require a solution, the tragic losses of lives, the enormous damage to properties and investments, the massive physical changes wrought in the landscapes and riverscapes, and the washed-out livelihoods of people, demand a national reckoning in a further context. Focusing primarily on the logging problem will not comprehensively and realistically address the complex labyrinth of social, environmental, political, and economic predicaments that the disaster exposed. This is not written as a scientific paper. Many aspects can be quibbled over, others vastly improved and this paper will need to be re-written given the benefit of your valued comments and inputs. Our simple request is that this document be used in a manner that helps address the serious problems we face.

Last week, we did a round of discussions in Infanta and Gabaldon. It was sad to see that a year after the event, while government and national line agencies are actively working together with the local governments and the communities, there is still background bickering as to who is conniving to contribute to the problem. Even more regrettable was to hear stories of people now financing the cutting of forests in these areas and abusing the genuine sympathy generated for the poor who bore the brunt of the impact. Meanwhile, there are effective efforts to respond in the short term, but there needs to be much more long term efforts on the problems and potential of disaster throughout the Philippines. Also, given the state of analysis so far and the lack of critical information, it is most evident that we have a long way to go in helping people in disaster awareness and preparedness and in obtaining the needed scientific data in a comprehensive and sustained manner. We enjoin you in this season of hope to continue the efforts already started, to sustain and the energy and commitment so needed, and to renew the belief in our capacity as a people who can work together.

Pedro Walpole

29th November 2005